Course Information
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Course Information, Research Methods,
Spring 2014
BIO 337, CH 368, PHY 341
Lessons: M 9–11, M 11-1; Lab: W 9-11, W 11-1
Web access: Canvas
Instructors:
|
Michael Marder |
Department of Physics and UTeach |
|
Phone (UTeach) |
232-2770 |
|
Phone (Physics) |
471-3612 |
|
Office (Physics) |
RLM 14.212 |
|
Office (UTeach) |
PAI 4.02 |
|
Office Hours |
W 9-11, PAI 4.14 and by appointment |
|
|
marder@chaos.ph.utexas.edu |
|
Pawan Kumar |
Department of Astronomy and UTeach |
|
Phone |
471-3412 |
|
Office |
RLM 17.204 |
|
Office Hours |
W 11-1, PAI 4.14 |
|
|
pk@astro.as.utexas.edu |
|
John Schocken |
Grader |
|
Office Hours |
3:45-4:45, M , PAI workroom |
|
|
j.m.schocken@gmail.com |
|
Katie Hansen |
Laboratory Instructor |
|
Phone |
512 970-1653 |
|
Office Hours |
F 11-1 and by appointment, PAI 4.14 |
|
|
katie.tacsonia@gmail.com |
Course Requirements and Grading Policy:
You must purchase the book Surely You are Joking, Mr. Feynman and a laboratory notebook that can make duplicate copies of pages. The course text is Research Methods for Science (Cambridge University Press, 2011). You can purchase this text at university bookstores or online. In addition, you can access an electronic copy of this text for free on Canvas under Course Documents, in the file RMC.pdf. This copy is for your personal use and is not to be sent to others or shared electronically.
The course grade will be based upon 13 elements. These are:
10 pts Class and laboratory attendance, as determined by checks of active participation and submission of in–class assignments.
27 pts Homework assignments
5 pts Inquiry 1
2 pts Inquiry 2 proposal
3 pts Inquiry 2 draft. The draft need not be accepted if the proposal was not turned in on time.
3 pts Inquiry 2 oral presentation
10 pts Inquiry 2 final writeup. The final writeup need not be accepted unless the first draft was turned in on time, the presentation was delivered, and the student participated in partner grading.
10 pts Inquiry 3 writeup
3 pts Inquiry 4 proposals
2 pts Open question presentation
5 pts Inquiry 4 draft. The draft need not be accepted if the proposal was not turned in on time.
5 pts Inquiry 4 oral presentation
15 pts Inquiry 4 final writeup. The final writeup need not be accepted unless the first draft was turned in on time, the presentation was delivered, and the student participated in partner grading.
Some course topics will be covered only in class, and you must be present to receive credit. If you turn assignments in late without approval, you can lose up to 10% of the value of the assignment for each day it is late. Your final inquiries writeups will be graded according to a rubric you will find in your course text and checklists you can find on Canvas. Inquiry drafts will be graded by checking off whether the major sections of the report have been completed (Abstract, Introduction, Design, Analysis, Conclusions).
In every case where you must miss class or when an assignment will be late, contact your instructor at the earliest possible opportunity. Extensions and excused absences are only available in cases where you communicate and provide justification for the class absence or late work.
Rewrite policy: Final drafts of Inquiries 1, 2, and 3 that have been turned in on time can be rewritten for additional credit. Contact your instructor for details of the policy.
Please note that the final inquiry must be related to the subject for which you have signed up for the class. For example, if you are registered in biology, your final inquiry must be a biology inquiry.
Research Methods carries the Independent Inquiry flag. Independent Inquiry courses are designed to engage you in the process of inquiry over the course of a semester, providing you with the opportunity for independent investigation of a question, problem, or project related to your major. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from the independent investigation and presentation of your own work.
Research Methods carries the Quantitative Reasoning flag. Quantitative Reasoning courses are designed to equip you with skills that are necessary for understanding the types of quantitative arguments you will regularly encounter in your adult and professional life. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your use of quantitative skills to analyze real-world problems.
Research Methods carries the Writing flag. Writing flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and to read and discuss your peers’ work. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work.
If you ever lose a substantial number of points on any assignment because it is not written well please use the Undergraduate Writing Center, FAC 211, 471-6222: http://www.uwc.utexas.edu/). The Undergraduate Writing Center offers free, individualized, expert help with writing for any UT undergraduate, by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Any undergraduate enrolled in a course at UT can visit the Center for assistance with any writing project. Writing Center consultants work with students from every department on campus, for both academic and non-academic writing. Getting feedback from an informed audience is a normal part of a successful writing project. Consultants help students develop strategies to improve their writing. The assistance they provide is intended to foster independence. Each student determines how to use the consultant’s advice. The consultants are trained to help you work on your writing in ways that preserve the integrity of your work.
Final grades will be determined from 92–100, A; 90–92 A-; 88–90 B+; 82–88, B; 80-82, B-; 78–80; C+; 72–78, C; 70–72, C- 68–70 D+; 62-68, D; 60–62, D-; 0–60, F.
Research Methods will require you to use equipment provided by UTeach. In many cases you will check materials out for use outside the classroom. You are responsible for all items in your care and must return them in a timely fashion. Failure to do so may result in financial bars.
The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471- 6441 TTY.
Mount Everest
Department of Astronomy and UTeach
RLM 17.204 · (512) 471-3412 · email
Office Hours
TBA
Department of Physics and UTeach
RLM 14.212 (Physics) · email
Phone (Physics)
(512) 471-3612
Phone (UTeach)
(512) 232-2770
Office (UTeach)
PAI 4.02
Office Hours
W 9-11, PAI 4.14 and by appointment
Grader
John Schocken
Office Hours
M 3:45-4:45, PAI workroom
Laboratory Instructor
Katie Hansen
Phone
(512) 970-1653
Office Hours
F 11-1 and by appointment, PAI 4.14